OPINION
The future of West Ham defender Issa Diop is looking a lot more secure as it did at the start of the transfer window with Manchester United having failed to secure the Frenchman.
The Premier League giants were reported by France Football to have offered £45million plus Marcos Rojo and Matteo Darmian for the 22-year-old, which was quickly rejected.
West Ham had been reported by the French outlet to have placed a £75million price tag on Diop’s head, meaning Arsenal, another interest Premier League side were outpriced, according to teamTALK.
Despite that being revealed in June, Arsenal have been reported by Foot Mercato to have been in contact with an inquiry for Diop as early as three weeks ago in July for the Hammers’ enforcer.
Unai Emery is certainly wasting everyone’s time with this suggested contact, with West Ham making it more than clear that the defender is definitely not for sale.
Diop has been in great form since arriving from Toulouse last season and was a major reason the Hammers’ defence improved so significantly – with West Ham conceding 13 fewer goals in that campaign than the one before.
It is clear to see why Manuel Pellegrini is so determined to keep ahold of Diop when you look at his stats via WhoScored, with the 22-year-old enforcer the standout performer from the heart of defence.
Diop made 2.1 tackles per game and averaged 4.7 clearances, as well as 1.9 interceptions – consistent stats which saw him dominate alongside Fabian Balbuena.
Arsenal are surely wasting West Ham’s time by reigniting their interest with reported contact, with the Hammers having made their stance surrounding Diop crystal clear throughout the summer.
